Philly councilman proposes crackdown on auto-related businesses

A proposed zoning change could make it tougher for some automobile-related businesses to set up shop in Philadelphia.

The bill proposed by Councilman Kenyatta Johnson targets auto repair shops and salvage yards.

Too many of them are creating problems for their neighbors, Johnson said.

“There have been a proliferation of auto body repair shops and junkyards,” he said. “Over the past year, I have been having community meetings in the neighborhood to specifically focus on how we can continue to improve the quality of life and not have a community overburdened with auto repair shops and junkyards.”

Johnson says the shops seem to cluster together.

“We’re talking about in local neighborhoods that have 10 to 20 repair shops in a neighborhood,” he said. “That’s unacceptable.”

The proposed zoning change would require the businesses to get a variance before setting up shop.